ROBERT W.

GODSHALL, MEMBER
150 MAIN CAPITOL BUILDING

COMMITTEES

HARRISBURG PENNSYLVANIA I 7120 20z3

LEflEBUDGET&FI\ANCE
DISTRICT OFFICE.
1702 COWPATH ROAD
HATFIELPENNSYLVANL
FAX: (215)361-4220
E-mail: rgodshalpahouscgop.com

4nusr nf &rprezentatifte
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg

June 20, 2016

TIP/LRP Comments
Office of Communications and Engagement
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
190 N. Independence Mall West, 8th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
\K FAX AND HARD COPY

Subject:

20172020 Transportation Improvement Program

NIPMS# 1643$; PA 309, Connector Project; 51<1058

TO: The Commission

I would have preferred to attend your June21 meeting to provide tins input in person; however, I am in
Harrisburg this week so 1 respectfully submit for your consideration and the record these written
comments and attachments.
I am writing you to express my support of the speedy completion of the Route 309 Connector Project
(Phases 2 and 3) that, when finished, will provide a safe and efficient connection between the Lansdale
Interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike with Pennsylvania Route 309. To this end I ask that the
completion of the long promised Route 309 Connector Project be considered among the highest of
priorities in the 20172020 Transportation Improvement Program.
1his project, long in development and sorely needed, is partially completed. \Vambold Road provides
travelers, including commercial trucks, a route from the Lansdale Interchange to Allentown Road at the
border between Franconia and Hatfield Townships. From there travelers, including large commercial
trucks, traveling to and from Route 309, are forced to use local roads never intended to accommodate
truck traffic because these roads were designed long before the invention of those trucks. These trucks
must travel the narrow streets of either the Borough of Hatfield (incorporated in 1$9$) or the Borough
of Souderton (incorporated iii 1887), and the residential areas of Francoma and Hatfield Townships.
beyond the obvious issue of road safety and congestion, these heamveight vehicles are speeding to
detenoration of the Boroughs infrastructures, including road, water, sanitan and storm water systems.
I have enclosed some photographs of large commercial trucks navigating the streets of Hatfield and
Souderton, a situation that occurs hundreds of times each day.

While there are coundess examples how completion of the 309 connector will benefit individuals and
businesses both in and outside the region, let me cite one specific example with which I have personal
knowledge.
The negotiations with PennDOT that lead to the 1997 gas tax increase included promises from
PennDOT that the 309 Connector would be completed. At about the same time JBS was
pursuing the purchase and expansion of Mover Packing MOPAC) in Franconia Township, near
the route of the proposed 309 Connector.
Located 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia, the Souderton beef processing facility in Franconia
Township, Montgomery County is the largest beef facility east of Chicago, IL, serving customers
along the eastern seaboard and around the globe. The plant provides more rhan 1000 family
sustaining jobs. JBS Souderton team members support the local United Way, the Keystone
Opportunity Center and many other local community organizations.
JBS slaughters over 2000 head of cattle each day with most of the cattle trucks traveling in from
the west via 181 and 178 to Allentown, down Route 309 to Route 113 which then takes them
right through the entire length of the Borough of Souderton to their destination in Franconia
Township; the trucks then retrace their routes back out to Route 309.
The 309 Connector would eliminate truck travel down Route 113 through Souderton and the
related traffic congestion and infrastructure deterioration.
Based on promises made from PennDOT to me I assuredJBS that Pennsylvania would complete the
Route 309 Connector; JBS completed its purchase, expanded operations at its Franconia Plant,
providing jobs to many in the area.
In further support of this project, I have enclosed a copy ofa Resolution #16-21 from the
Commissioners of Hatfield Township.
Countless, similar examples of needs and commitments to residents, businesses and local governments
regarding the completion of this project can be cited. I keep my promises; it is time to fulfill the explicit
promises made by PennDOT to me and the residents of the Indian \Talley, agreed to and witnessed by
many almost 20 years ago, to and complete this vitally important project expeditiously.
Please feel free to contact me if I may provide additional information on this important project.
Sincerely,

Representative Robert \V. Godshall

53rJ
Legislative District
Montgomery County

Attachments:

Cc:

MPMS# 16438 PA 309 Connector Project Summary

Photograph ofJBS truck on the streets of the Borough of Souderion
Photograph of large truck on the streets of the Borough of Hatfield
Hatfield Township Resolution #16-21

Borough of Hatfield
Borough of Souderton
Francoma Township
Hatfield Township
Leslie Richards, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
john Taylor, Majority Chair. House Transportation Committee
\Vilham Keller, \linorin- Chair, House Transportation Committee
John Rafferty, ?.lajotitv Chair, Senate Transportation Committee
John Wozniak, Minority Chan, Senate Transportation Committee
Josh Shapiro, Chair, Montgomery County Commissioners
Valerie Arkoosh, Vice Chair, Montgomery County Commissioners
Joseph Gale, Commissioner, Montgomen- County Commissioners
MatthewJ. Edmond, Section Chief, Montgomery Count Planning Commission
The Reporter
The Souderton Independent
The Philadelphia Inquirer

RWG:es

Final Version

DVRPC FY 2015-2018 TIP for PA

Pennsylvania

Highway Program (Status: TIP)

Montgomery
MPMS# 16438

PA 309, Connector Project Phase I SR:1058

-

LIMITS Allentown Road to PA 63/Sumneytown Pike

IMPROVEMENT Roadway New Capacity

No Let Date
LRPID:57

MUNICIPALITIES: Franconia Township; Lower Salford Township; Towamencin Township

PLANNING AREA: Growing Suburb

AO Code:2013M
DOD:

PROJECT MANAGER:

Adding Subcorr(s): 2A, 1 1A, 14C

CMP: Major SOV Capacity
Provide an adequate two lane roadway connection by upgrading two existing two lane roads (Wambold Rd. and Township Line Rd.) and
connecting them with a two lane roadway approximately one mile in length. This project will correct the disjointed and inadequate road system
serving the north/south movement between PA 309 and the PA Turnpike Lansdale Interchange. This project will proceed in 2 phases.
The Right-Sized Phase 1 Project includes the proposed realignment of Sumneytown Pike (PA 63) from Old Forty Foot Road to Freed Road
and improvements to Wambold Road from Sumneytown Pike (PA 63) to Allentown Road. The proposed work includes a three lane relocation
of PA 63 with shoulders (11 lanes and 8 shoulders) on Wambold Road and a two lane runaround around Mainland Village.
Phase II: This phase will extend Phase I from Allentowni Rd on a new two-lane roadway, one mile in length, to connect to Township Line Rd at
Godshall Rd. Township Line Rd will be upgraded and extended to a new interchange at PA-309 and County Line Rd.
SAFETEA DEMO #613, PA ID# 338- $1.280 MILLION. DEMO PA ID #206 $459,394.
-

TIP Program Years

Phase

Fund

FY2O1S FY2016

PE

STU

720

PE

581

180
0

900

Total FY2015-2018

415/2016

FY2017

FY2018

0
900

FY2019

FY2020

Total FY2019-2022

($

000)

FY2021

FY2022

0
0

FY2023

FY2024

Total FY2023-2026

FY2025

FY2026

0
0

Page 156

Ill
:r.C

In

JBS truck on the streets of the Borough of Souderton

_r.a

A
a

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP
RESOLUTION #16-2 1
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF HATFIELD
TOWNSHIP OF PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT FOR THE ROUTE 309
CONNECTOR PROJECT IN THE TOWNSHIP OF HATFIELD, PA.
WHEREAS, the 309 Connector Project is a roadway connection project between PA
Route 309 and the PA Turnpike Lansd&e Interchange (the Project); and
WHEREAS, the Project creates an improved connection between PA 63 (near the
Lansdale Interchange of 1-476) and PA 309 (near the southern terminus of the Sellersville
Bypass) in Bucks County; and
WHEREAS, the Project will proceed in three phases; and
WHEREAS, Phase I (MPMS #16438) provided a 2-lane roadway connection by
upgrading two existing 2-lane roads (Wambold Road and Township Line Road) and connecting
them with a 2-lane roadway approximately one mile in length from Sumneylown Pike (S.R.
0063) to Allentown Road. This Phase I project was completed in May, 2012; and
WHEREAS. Phase 2 (MPMS #77211) of the Project involves extending Wambold Road
from Allentown Road to Cowpath Road and Township Line Road
VHEREAS. Phase 3 (MPMS #105803) will reconstruct and widen Township Line
Road, between Souderton pike and the Sellersville Bypass: and
WHEREAS. when completed, the roadway Project will carry an Average Daily Traffic
(ADT) of approximately 11,500 vehicles; and
WHEREAS, Phase I of the Project was constructed in Lower Salford and Towamencin
Townships. Phases 2 and 3 will be constructed in Franconia, Hatfield and Hilltown Townships;
and
WHEREAS, final design and right-of-way funding is provided for in the first two years
of the Draft Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission 2017 Transportation Improvement
Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hatfield Township Board of
Commissioners hereby commits to and offers partnership and support to PennDOT during the
upcoming design, as well as to the neighboring municipalities in any way necessary to move the
Project forward and secure its completion.

{01807038;vI

DULY PRESENTED AND ADOPTED by the Hatfield Township Board of

Commissioners, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in a public meeting held this 8th day of
June, 2016.

ATTEST:

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Is! Aaron Bibro

Aaron Bibro, Township Manager

By: Is! Thomas C. Zipfel

Thomas C. Zipfel, President

{OI 807038;vl